Resource Description

Current economic obstacles to biochar use in agriculture and climate change mitigation

F2Fdw ID:

75

Publication Date:

2016-08-10

License and Usage Rights:

FACE2FACE data user agreement.

Resource Owner(s):

Individual:

Bach, Martin

Contact:

email:
Naiming.Yuan <at> geogr.uni-giessen.de

Individual:

Wilske, Burkhard

Contact:

email:
Naiming.Yuan <at> geogr.uni-giessen.de

Individual:

Breuer, Lutz

Contact:

email:
lutz.breuer <at> umwelt.uni-giessen.de
35392 Giessen
Gabon

Abstract:

Biochar may become a key instrument at the nexus of managed carbon fluxes, including value added potential in soil Amelioration, climate protection, energy supply and organic waste management. This article reflects the potential use of biochar in agriculture from the perspective of the farming economy. Biochar soil amendment in crop production is regarded as a win-win Situation, both for assumed increases in cropping yields and carbon Sequestration in soil organic matter. However, an extensive review on biochar effecton crop yield has not yet been able to provide compelling arguments to foster more widespread biochar use in cropping systems. Furthermore, the half-lives of biochar are frequently shorter than commonly suggested, and other financial incentives, such as including biochar in carbon credit Systems, are not in place to compensate for the extra cost of applying biochar. As a result, we conclude with a somewhat skeptical view for a widespread use of biochar in agriculture in the near future.